FlipMemphis runs its surplus a little differently: the City of Memphis has sold fleet vehicles and equipment through live webcast auctions run by a local auction company rather than GovDeals. Combine that with IAA's Millington branch and a Copart yard in the city, and Memphis is a solid market for trucks and work vehicles.
Every link below was checked in October 2026. FlipTheBid is not affiliated with these agencies or companies. Listings change, so confirm terms on each site.
Where to buy at auction in Memphis
Government surplus
- City of Memphis: city auto auctions: Official page announcing City of Memphis surplus vehicle and equipment auctions and dates.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Memphis branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 3033 Fite Rd, Millington. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Memphis (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Memphis. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
Related: Vehicle and salvage auctions in our directory · How to Buy Cars at Public and Salvage Auctions
Storage unit auctions
- StorageTreasures: Memphis storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Memphis. Save a search to get alerts on new units.
Related: Storage unit auctions in our directory · How Storage Unit Auctions Work
Estate sales and local auction houses
- Venture Auctions: Memphis auction company that has run City of Memphis surplus vehicle and equipment webcast auctions.
- EstateSales.net: Memphis estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Memphis area, with photos, addresses and the company running each sale.
Related: Estate sales and local auction houses in our directory · How to Price and Resell on eBay
Tennessee rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. Tennessee's state sales tax is 7%, plus local tax in most areas, so combined rates are among the highest in the country. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Registered dealers can use a resale certificate with qualifying sellers. Government auctions may still charge tax unless you provide the paperwork they ask for.
- Vehicles: titles and taxes. Make sure you get a properly assigned title (or the documents the auction specifies). Sales tax on vehicles is generally collected by the county clerk when you title and register. See the TN title and registration pages. Title and register through the state motor vehicle agency. Salvage-branded vehicles need extra steps before they can be driven on the road again.
- Storage auctions. Facilities must follow the state's notice and advertising rules before a lien sale, and tenants can often pay and pull a unit right up to the sale.
- Buying across state lines. The selling state's tax and pickup rules usually apply at the time of sale.
More statewide sources are on our Tennessee auctions page.
Haul it, store it, ship it
Some of these are affiliate links; see our disclosure.
- Pirate Ship: Free shipping-label software with discounted USPS and UPS rates. No subscription.
- uShip: Marketplace for shipping furniture, equipment and vehicles.
- Montway Auto Transport: Door-to-door car shipping quotes.
- Neighbor: Rent garages and spare space from locals, often cheaper than a storage unit. You can also list your own space.
- SpareFoot: Compare and reserve self-storage units near you.
Frequently asked questions
- How does the City of Memphis sell surplus vehicles?
- Through periodic auctions announced on the city's auto auctions page. Recent sales were live webcast auctions run by Venture Auctions.
- Is there a salvage auction near Memphis?
- IAA's Memphis branch is in Millington and Copart has a Memphis yard.
- Do Shelby County tax sales count as surplus auctions?
- No. Shelby County's tax sales are delinquent real estate sales with their own legal process, separate from equipment surplus.